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I am a Democrat." --Will Rogershttp://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)Blogger3264125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-9073786809573446767Sun, 03 Sep 2017 00:52:00 +00002017-09-02T20:52:42.770-04:00Andre CarsonAssociated PressBrad EllsworthDavid OrentlicherJulia CarsonLuke MesserTodd RokitaRokita Revelations Bring Back Personal Recollections<div style="text-align: right;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xNUBxdTl7UY/WatR7tnYNEI/AAAAAAAANIc/9J173A_ZaocveFe22xizP7pccsFJ9mJFACEwYBhgL/s1600/114_rp_in_4_rokita_todd%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="289" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xNUBxdTl7UY/WatR7tnYNEI/AAAAAAAANIc/9J173A_ZaocveFe22xizP7pccsFJ9mJFACEwYBhgL/s320/114_rp_in_4_rokita_todd%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="284" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rep. Todd Rokita</td></tr></tbody></table>The <a href="http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2017/09/01/former-aides-say-rep-todd-rokita-yelled-staff-docked-pay/624152001/" target="_blank">revelation by the Associated Press</a> that Todd Rokita is a bit of a bear to work for should not surprise anyone who has followed things closely since the Congressman has been in public life.<br /><br />I don't know if the article will cause Rokita to lose the primary or not to Luke Messer, but it sure makes him look bad. &nbsp;I can only go by the personal experiences that I've had meeting politicians of that make and model. &nbsp;I've met other candidates, too, on and off the campaign trail. &nbsp;I can say that you probably don't want to make enemies of your past staff. &nbsp;It can bite you in the butt.<br /><br />Now, I've never worked for my friend André Carson, but I can tell you that he's about as unpretentious as they come. &nbsp;Congressman Carson and I first met when he was running for his grandmother's vacant seat. &nbsp;I was undecided at the time, and Carson called me on a Saturday afternoon, as I recall, a few weeks before the caucus. <br /><br />We talked about everything from his philosophy of government to religion to 90's pop music to what toys we played with as a kid. &nbsp;Ultimately, I voted for David Orentlicher in the caucus, but I pledged my support to Carson in the primary and since then. &nbsp;He's never held my caucus vote against me. &nbsp;In fact, when I talked to him about it, he said, "Well you're on board now. Let's go."<br /><br />When I was considering a run for state office, Congressman Carson gave me great advice as a friend. &nbsp;He's also been a source of constant encouragement for me with my blog, my old radio show, and in my run for City-County Council. <br /><br />His grandmother was another Congressperson that I had a great relationship with during her time as my representative. &nbsp;I met her at a predatory lending roundtable, and I said I was from Decatur Township, "Well, I didn't know anyone LOVED me in Decatur," she said. <br /><br />After that, I was her "Decatur Boy" everywhere she saw me. &nbsp;I also was on the receiving end of a kiss on the cheek and a big hug from the Congresswoman. &nbsp;She was one of a kind.<br /><br />Probably the least pretentious politician I've ever met was (and hopefully will be again someday) Brad Ellsworth. &nbsp;The former Congressman from Indiana's 8th District was in French Lick one year, and I wanted to meet him. &nbsp;I finally ran across him and introduced myself. &nbsp;He kept saying, "Call me Brad," whenever I kept trying to call him Congressman. <br /><br />After a serious discussion of some issues we disagreed on, he invited me to his hospitality suite that night, so Chris Jackson and I found our way to the upper floors of the French Lick Hotel. &nbsp;We entered the hospitality suite and asked for the Congressman. &nbsp;"Oh, you mean Brad," said the staffer. &nbsp;"He's out on the roof deck."<br /><br />His suite opened up onto a large roof deck, and, sure enough, there was one of the 435 members of Congress surrounded by mostly his staff under the Southern Indiana stars. &nbsp;We were admonished again to call him Brad by Ellsworth when we tried to go again to the Congressman word. &nbsp;So, our last stop of the night was with Brad and his staff under the stars. &nbsp;He sipped Diet Coke, and I seemed to remember a causal chat about our families.<br /><br />I know this breaks down in a partisan way, but it doesn't have to. &nbsp;I know there are truly nice Republicans and truly nightmare Democrats. &nbsp;These are just the experiences I thought of when I read the AP article.<br /><br /><br />http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/09/rokita-revelations-bring-back-personal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-1526759921527607095Tue, 29 Aug 2017 03:17:00 +00002017-08-28T23:17:03.534-04:00City BudgetGreg BallardJeff MillerJoe HogsettBattle Over Budget More Bore Than Big Deal<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vZMEuUFtYZU/WaTaA-Oo66I/AAAAAAAANII/hhIySGyIQ28DBwWboTBjHtvorFnI2EeQgCLcBGAs/s1600/Mayor%2BJoe%2BHogsett.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="366" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vZMEuUFtYZU/WaTaA-Oo66I/AAAAAAAANII/hhIySGyIQ28DBwWboTBjHtvorFnI2EeQgCLcBGAs/s320/Mayor%2BJoe%2BHogsett.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayor Joe Hogsett</td></tr></tbody></table>Joe Hogsett has done a great job fiscally as Mayor of Indianapolis. &nbsp;<div><br />That’s what the latest kerfuffle over the budget has told me.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>The Indianapolis Mayor has garnered wide praise from both sides of the aisle when it comes to the relationship with the City-County Council when compared with that of his immediate predecessor. Suddenly, some in the GOP are now accusing Mayor Hogsett of overselling the city's fiscal state even while they claim it's actually good.</div><div><br />If you haven’t been following the news recently, the Indianapolis Star's James Briggs has a pretty good wrap-up of the story <a href="http://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/marion-county/2017/08/27/mayor-hogsett-proclaims-victory-over-structural-deficit-its-unclear-what-he-means/602868001/" target="_blank">here</a>. According to the piece, Republicans like Councillor Jeff Miller are praising Mayor Hogsett’s budget as "probably one of he best" in 10 years while simultaneously still disputing just how good it is.&nbsp;</div><div><br />Pretty boring times at the City-County Building betwixt the two major parties when the only fodder that the Republicans can throw at the Democratic Mayor is, “Your budget is good…but…but…it’s not as good as you say!”</div><div><br /></div><div>Quite a change from the eight years previous to Mayor Hogsett’s term, isn’t it? You remember it. The Council and then Mayor Greg Ballard fought over seemingly every project and every contract.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Lawsuits were filed. Ballard accused some his own party of playing politics against him. A longtime GOP (now Democratic) Councillor was primaried because she stood up to the Mayor. &nbsp;All the while, Ballard was spend spend spending away on pet projects such as the World Sports Park on Indy’s Eastside and handing out essentially no-bid contracts.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's part of the issue according to the Hogsett Administration. They tell the Star that if they had not done anything about the budget and spending, Indy was headed for a structural budget deficit of over $50 million.</div><div><br />Republicans have been very quiet, and they clearly sense an opening here to try to make a molehill out of an anthill. &nbsp;As budget battles go, this is like the battle between pepperoni or sausage on a delicious pizza or what specific color of light blue you wish to paint your wall. &nbsp;"Do I want light blue or morning blue?"</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a boring battle of semantics over politics. &nbsp;The bottom line is that, as Councillor Miller again acknowledges, this is a good budget.</div>http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/08/battle-over-budget-more-bore-than-big.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-6210598965165951377Thu, 24 Aug 2017 00:40:00 +00002017-08-24T20:13:00.523-04:002018 Senate RaceJoe DonnellyLuke MesserNRSCTodd RokitaIs It Just Me or Does This Make You Sick, Too? (WITH UPDATE)I was scrolling through my Twitter account timeline earlier tonight, when I came across this Tweet from the digital director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><div dir="ltr" lang="en">What better way to welcome <a href="https://twitter.com/SenDonnelly">@SenDonnelly</a> to the campaign than with a Mariachi band? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INSen?src=hash">#INSen</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MexicoJoe?src=hash">#MexicoJoe</a> <a href="https://t.co/ykiSf6eI2f">pic.twitter.com/ykiSf6eI2f</a></div>— Jon Adams (@JonAdams3) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonAdams3/status/900443218109661184">August 23, 2017</a></blockquote><br /><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br /><br />Are you kidding me?<br /><br />This is what passes for appropriate campaign strategy in 2017?<br /><br />Listen, if you want to raise outsourcing as a campaign issue against Joe Donnelly, go ahead. &nbsp;If you want to use tactics that smack of racism in 2017, then get ready to lose and lose big.<br /><br />This is not the kind of campaign tactic that's welcome in the Hoosier State or against an honorable guy like Joe Donnelly. &nbsp;It's beneath the office of U.S. Senator, and it's well outside the bounds of what should be appropriate in campaigning.<br /><br />I call on Todd Rokita, Luke Messer, and any other Republican Senatorial candidates to immediately condemn and disassociate themelves from this kind of campaign ploy. &nbsp;Whoever dreamed up this ploy and thought it was a good idea should be relieved of their position immediately.<br /><br />It's not funny or appropriate.<br /><br /><b>UPDATE</b><br />People who were at the event told me that Joe, although he is portrayed as having seen the band and to have reacted, arrived long after the band had left. &nbsp;"I never even knew there was a band there (until I saw the video)," said one event goer on Facebook.http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/08/is-it-just-me-or-does-this-make-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-6407563847194553489Wed, 16 Aug 2017 03:26:00 +00002017-08-15T23:28:35.358-04:00City BudgetCity-County CouncilJason HollidayJoe HogsettJoe Simpsonliving wageTony KatzWIBCCouncil Raises Worker Pay, Riles Up KatzMonday night, the City-County Council passed a pay raise for city and county workers to bring those that qualify up to a $13 an hour living wage.<br /><br />The raises, according to the estimates, will cost $450,000, and Mayor Joe Hogsett has said that the city's $1.1 billion budget can easily handle the cost. &nbsp;Initially, Mayor Hogsett played it cautious on the pay hike. <br /><br />With everyone seemingly on board, the proposal passed 22-2 with the only no votes coming from Joe Simpson because the Democrat didn't feel it went far enough with the raises, and Jason Holliday because...well...he's Jason Holliday (he votes no a lot).<br /><br />The seemingly non-controversial vote from he Indianapolis Marion County City-County Council was too much for WIBC's morning man, Tony Katz. &nbsp;Katz, a Carmel resident, tweeted out:<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><div dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Indy?src=hash">#Indy</a> City-County council voted tonight for a living wage because they’re more interested in social justice than filling potholes. <a href="https://twitter.com/93wibc">@93wibc</a></div>— Tony Katz (@tonykatz) <a href="https://twitter.com/tonykatz/status/897256002017525761">August 15, 2017</a></blockquote><br /><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br /><br />That raised an eyebrow for me.<br /><br />First of all, the raises cost just $450K...not $450 million. &nbsp;That's literally .0004 percent of the budget. &nbsp;Seems ok to this Marion County resident. <br /><br />Secondly, the proposed budget pays out $120 million in road and street and bridge and sidewalk repairs. &nbsp;That's more than $450,000 by a lot. Apparently, it is possible to care about social justice while addressing the city's needs, and it does it responsibly. <br /><br />When I called Katz on his tweet, he said I didn't get the issue and that there's no such thing as a living wage. &nbsp;Just to make it clear, I had to lay it out for him.<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><div dir="ltr" lang="en">Budget cost of raises: $450k<br />Budget cost for road/streets: $120 million.<br />Budget total: $1.1 billion.<br />Raises as percentage of budget: .0004% <a href="https://t.co/mMv4dkcRPS">https://t.co/mMv4dkcRPS</a></div>— Jon Easter (@johnnystir) <a href="https://twitter.com/johnnystir/status/897573561191288834">August 15, 2017</a></blockquote><br /><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br /><br />Hope he gets it. The raises are a small (in cost), nice thing for the hardworking city-county employees that most need it. &nbsp;I'm sorry if folks can't handle that. &nbsp;It was the right thing to do.http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/08/council-raises-worker-pay-riles-up-katz.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-5655120504691531388Mon, 14 Aug 2017 02:57:00 +00002017-08-13T22:57:20.509-04:00Donald TrumpHillary ClintonClinton Called It...CompletelyIn light of this past weekend's events, I think his stands alone and needs no comment. &nbsp;Watch this video.<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><div dir="ltr" lang="en">Hillary Clinton tried to warn us... <a href="https://t.co/5EVNbbvt7m">pic.twitter.com/5EVNbbvt7m</a></div>— NowThis (@nowthisnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/nowthisnews/status/896839533429272576">August 13, 2017</a></blockquote><br /><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/08/clinton-called-itcompletely.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-6016511547420726674Sat, 12 Aug 2017 16:30:00 +00002017-08-12T12:30:02.148-04:002018 Senate RaceBirch BayhDan CoatsDave BangertDavid DaoIndy StarJoe DonnellyLafayette Journal CourierMatt TullyRichard LugarRichard MourdockRuth Bader GinsburgTodd RokitaVance HartkeRokita: Too Extreme for Indiana<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-513og5HC13A/WY8sViADJiI/AAAAAAAANH0/tt-YQQFVtMEVGpJI2VkxYTFErGIUXgQZwCLcBGAs/s1600/114_rp_in_4_rokita_todd%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="289" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-513og5HC13A/WY8sViADJiI/AAAAAAAANH0/tt-YQQFVtMEVGpJI2VkxYTFErGIUXgQZwCLcBGAs/s320/114_rp_in_4_rokita_todd%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="284" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rep. Todd Rokita</td></tr></tbody></table>Hoosiers rejected Richard Mourdock when he got too extreme.<br /><br />Apparently, that wasn't enough of a warning for Todd Rokita.<br /><br />This week, arguably the most clueless man in Indiana's Congressional delegation announced he was running for Indiana's U.S. Senate seat in 2018. &nbsp;He becomes the latest Republican in the race.<br /><br />Now, Rokita has his fans. &nbsp;They tend to fall on the far right conservative side of the coin. &nbsp;It's been easy for Rokita to say and do just about anything he's wanted to do in the very conservative 4th Congressional District and continue to get away with it. &nbsp;After all, Rokita's 4th District predecessor used his muddy combat boots as a prop and once did a speech on the floor about smoking lettuce.<br /><br />Rokita has trailblazed his own path to crazy in the 4th. &nbsp;He <a href="http://www.newsradioklbj.com/blogs/austins-morning-show/frosh-gop-rep-rokita-piggish-un-american-worry-about-economy-gov-programs" target="_blank">called</a> Americans "piggish and un-American" for worrying about the health of the overall economy vs. allowing the country to default over the debt ceiling. &nbsp;Rokita tried to<a href="http://postalnews.com/blog/2017/01/06/gop-bill-would-eliminate-union-representation-for-new-postal-workers/" target="_blank"> bust civil service unions</a> by making civil servants such as postal workers at will employees.<br /><br />As if that weren't enough, the conservative firebrand tried to change the laws regarding free and reduced school lunch. &nbsp;The plan would have potentially knocked 120 schools across Indiana that serve 58,000 kids from the program, <a href="http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/05/17/reptodd-rokita-wants-restrict-free-school-lunches/84510892/" target="_blank">according to the Indianapolis Star</a>. Fourteen schools would have been in Indianapolis alone.<br /><br />He's <a href="http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2017/05/02/todd-rokita-says-united-passenger-shouldnt-have-resisted/101208676/" target="_blank">defended United Airlines</a>&nbsp;and the actions of law enforcement in the awful case where the Louisville doctor was dragged down the aisle because he refused to give up his seat to a United flight crew. <br /><br />“This is a bit of a two-way street. What happened on that United flight shouldn’t have escalated to where it was, but a grown man, assumedly sane, when approached by law enforcement on an aircraft should abide by the request being made,” Rokita said. &nbsp;United <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2017/04/27/news/companies/united-airlines-dao-settlement/index.html" target="_blank">settled</a> with Dr. David Dao.<br /><br />Even his campaign announcement drew scrutiny. &nbsp;Indy Star columnist Matthew Tully<a href="http://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/columnists/matthew-tully/2017/08/10/tully-todd-rokitas-campaign-stuffed-baloney/104463100/" target="_blank"> penned a highly critical piece writing</a>, "U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita is taking things to a new level this summer, peddling a package of baloney so oversized he must have bought it at Costco."<br /><br />The Lafayette Journal &amp; Courier's Dave Bangert appears to have caught Rokita in some sort of political hypocritical mess.<br /><br />Bangert <a href="http://www.jconline.com/story/opinion/columnists/dave-bangert/2017/08/11/bangert-no-budget-no-pay-what-todd-rokita-forget-mention/559772001/" target="_blank">writes</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">One of the better lines on the Statehouse steps – presumably no location was available as a backdrop in the 4th District, where calls for town halls have gone unanswered in 2017 – was his commitment to something called “No Budget, No Pay.”&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">The fundamentals are sound: Members of Congress should be held accountable if they can’t deliver a workable budget. Rokita touted Indiana’s balanced budget provisions and promised to fight for the same as a U.S. senator.&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Fair enough.&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">But Rokita conveniently forgot to mention what happened in October 2013, when No Budget meant No Government for a short time.&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">At the time, Rokita gloated about how the federal government shutdown was a stand against the Affordable Care Act. He said at the time, “We’re doing exactly what our constituents asked us to do,” by delaying the rollout of Obamacare. The longer the shutdown, the better his chances, he told me in a conversation from Washington, D.C. “I think we’re going to win.”</blockquote>&nbsp;Bangert added that the tactic didn't work, but that Rokita did get paid.<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><div dir="ltr" lang="en">One of the better lines in <a href="https://twitter.com/ToddRokitaIN">@ToddRokitaIN</a> Senate bid announcemnt was his No Budget/No Pay commitment. Funny, given his 2013 shutdown paycheck <a href="https://t.co/ak8d8UITjw">pic.twitter.com/ak8d8UITjw</a></div>— Dave Bangert (@davebangert) <a href="https://twitter.com/davebangert/status/895694159553495040">August 10, 2017</a></blockquote><br /><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br /><br />I know I'm getting windy here, but there really isn't anything in Todd Rokita's record that shows that he's anything but a man who is as far from the model of an "Indiana Senator" as can be. &nbsp;Think about that tradition. <br /><br />Richard Lugar was seen as a statesman and a trusted voice by both parties. &nbsp;Birch Bayh penned the 25th and 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. &nbsp;He also is the father of Title IX. &nbsp;Vance Hartke was instrumental in improving access to college and improving transportation in our country while standing up to oppose the Vietnam War. &nbsp;Even Dan Coats, in his first go around in the Senate, supported gun control laws and voted for Ruth Bader Ginsburg's confirmation to the Supreme Court.<br /><br />Joe Donnelly fits this tradition more than any of the Republicans running and certainly more than Rokita. &nbsp;In a Senate full of those on the right and those on the left, in true Indiana fashion, Donnelly has placed himself in the middle which draws ire from the liberal left, and it may be those folks that ultimately help elect their polar opposite if they don't vote for Donnelly in 2018.<br /><br />It's so critical that Todd Rokita goes home to Brownsburg in 2018. &nbsp;I can't imagine him with a bigger bully pulpit and more power than he has today. &nbsp;Right now, he's the 4th District's issue, but Hoosier voters can avoid making him Indiana's problem...for six long years.http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/08/rokita-too-extreme-for-indiana.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-7987002663805294071Tue, 01 Aug 2017 22:25:00 +00002017-08-01T18:34:57.358-04:00Personal PrerogativeSo, I've Been Meaning to Say...It's official. I'm getting older.<br /><br />Last week, I turned 42. &nbsp;I also found out that I'm now diabetic. &nbsp;Next week, I'll go in for a sleep study to find out why I blow the rafters off my room at night with my snores. <br /><br />I'm too young for this sh....tuff.<br /><br />Listen, I'm not griping or complaining. &nbsp;Except for the sciatica and a toe that I slammed into the door jam on Sunday morning, I feel pretty good. I am blessed to have excellent health care through my employer, but I also feel a bit guilty for missing (maybe willfully and blissfully ignoring) all the signs up until now. &nbsp;To be frank, I've knocked down some of those signs.<br /><br />The thing is that for a long time that I had an almost fatalistic view of my life. &nbsp;Easter men don't live long lives. We mostly drop dead in our 60's. &nbsp;Dad nearly made 70, but he died at 69. &nbsp;Watching my mom's struggle with long term illness began to change my mind. &nbsp;When you are delivered the test results that you are diabetic, I came to the realization that I could be my mother and sooner rather than later. <br /><br />I'm one stroke from being in long term care for the last bit of my life, and that bit could be a long time. &nbsp;Not quite the mirror image you want looking back from the future.<br /><br />If I don't improve the quality of how I'm living, I won't improve the quality of my life in the future. &nbsp;I had a vision of myself in ten years, and it's not who I want to be.<br /><br />So, I'm going to make some small changes at first. &nbsp;Then, I'm going to gradually change some other things. &nbsp;Before you know it, it's going to be a new me.<br /><br />I know this blog post is not about politics, but I wanted you to know what I've been going through lately. &nbsp;I've been kind of depressed about all of this, and, frankly, I haven't had a lot of time in my life to blog. &nbsp;I'm going to start posting again.<br /><br />We're going weekly for a while, but I fully intend to get back to a daily weekday posting schedule. &nbsp;I just need to get myself sorted out, first. &nbsp;I hope you all understand, but I understand if you don't. <br /><br />Finally, I don't write this for sympathy. &nbsp;I know many people have it worse than me. &nbsp;I also don't write this to get a lecture. &nbsp;Believe me, I've already lectured myself. &nbsp;I just want you to know that we're all in this crazy world together, and I wanted you to know what was going on with the blog.<br /><br />Thanks for your support over the last nine years, and I hope you'll continue to read on into the future.http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/08/so-ive-been-meaning-to-say.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-689990106300630753Thu, 27 Jul 2017 01:37:00 +00002017-07-27T18:14:00.958-04:002018 Senate RaceAbdul-Hakim ShabazzAndy HorningIndy PoliticsLuke MesserRichard MourdockStatehouse FileTodd RokitaSenate 2018 Race Update: Messer is IN; Rokita's Gonna Rokita<div style="text-align: right;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KnVfimt-ipc/WXlC9j4pMbI/AAAAAAAANHM/gL8zv9ODVI0nUTl3ex03SLHX-5N3UYRkQCLcBGAs/s1600/7NHW13mk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KnVfimt-ipc/WXlC9j4pMbI/AAAAAAAANHM/gL8zv9ODVI0nUTl3ex03SLHX-5N3UYRkQCLcBGAs/s200/7NHW13mk.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rep. Luke Messer (R-IN 6)</td></tr></tbody></table>Officially, the Republicans have a frontrunner in the race for U.S. Senate, but that status could be very short-lived. <br /><br />Congressman Luke Messer is officially in the race for U.S. Senate from the state of Indiana according to a tweet from his campaign on Wednesday.<br /><br />Messer, who has raised a large war chest for a run, is expected to battle fellow Republican Todd Rokita in the May Primary for the opportunity to face incumbent Democrat Joe Donnelly in the fall of 2018. &nbsp;There are other Republicans in the race, but the two Congressman have raised the most money. &nbsp;Rokita has not yet announced officially that he is running for the seat.<br /><br />Speaking of Rokita, the Congressman released a statement from his Congessional Office indicating he believes perhaps "God's will" controls natural disasters.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hyl3quvd4eQ/WXlDrTTXjOI/AAAAAAAANHQ/iACQdVFw0XAKeW8U_Ydhek0YROkHDRM4QCLcBGAs/s1600/Todd%2BRokita.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hyl3quvd4eQ/WXlDrTTXjOI/AAAAAAAANHQ/iACQdVFw0XAKeW8U_Ydhek0YROkHDRM4QCLcBGAs/s320/Todd%2BRokita.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN 4)</td></tr></tbody></table>Rokita represents beleagured Kokomo in the 4th Congressional District, and the folks in Kokomo have had their fill of bad weather in the last few years. &nbsp;Two major and costly tornadoes have hit the city since 2013. <br /><br />Rokita said, “Even though we cannot predict God’s will when it comes to natural disasters, let’s prepare ourselves for God’s will," <a href="http://thestatehousefile.com/rokitas-gods-will-comment-spurs-2018-campaign-preview/32423/" target="_blank">according to the Statehouse File.</a><br /><br />The Rokita statement brought back memories for some who remember Richard Mourdock's 2012 foot-in-mouth moment. During the final debate with Joe Donnelly and Andy Horning, &nbsp;Mourdock said he opposed abortion even in rape cases because, as he said, when a woman becomes pregnant due to a rape,&nbsp;"that it is something that God intended to happen."<br /><br />The best news for Joe Donnelly is that Rokita's often his own worst enemy. <br /><br />It's still unclear who Donnelly would face. According to Abdul Hakim-Shabazz, a<a href="http://indypolitics.org/internal-poll-shows-no-senate-frontrunner/" target="_blank">&nbsp;poll showed recently</a> that the Republican nomination is anyone's game at this point. &nbsp;There's even room for someone like Curtis Hill to join the race.http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/07/senate-2018-race-update-messer-is-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-4309624984743881005Fri, 14 Jul 2017 04:00:00 +00002017-07-14T00:00:12.250-04:002018 Elections2018 Senate RaceAbdul-Hakim ShabazzADLFAPFECJoe DonnellyLuke MesserNAFTATodd RokitaIt's Only July: 2018 Indiana U.S. Senate Election Making Headlines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXFUtsxK0-o/WWgWu1WNs9I/AAAAAAAANGw/3g_3c0WqcEoPkjOtnTHYxTbysSd_yB-OgCLcBGAs/s1600/289553-Whooo-What-A-Week-Thank-God-It-s-Friday-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="376" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXFUtsxK0-o/WWgWu1WNs9I/AAAAAAAANGw/3g_3c0WqcEoPkjOtnTHYxTbysSd_yB-OgCLcBGAs/s200/289553-Whooo-What-A-Week-Thank-God-It-s-Friday-.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>It's been quite a week in the U.S. Senate Race for 2018.<br /><br />Taking the bad news first (from the candidates' perspectives), the American Democracy Legal Fund <a href="http://www.indems.org/congressmen-messer-rokita-hit-with-fec-complaints-for-illegal-shadow-campaign/" target="_blank">has filed</a> FEC complaints against Republican candidates Todd Rokita and Luke Messer because they continue to campaign for the office and have raised more than $5,000 and yet remain unannounced as candidates. &nbsp;Both of those things would seem to violate federal campaign laws. <br /><br />Rokita and Messer say the ADLF complaint<a href="http://indypolitics.org/election-complaint-filed-against-messer-rokita/" target="_blank"> is baseless</a> and Rokita's campaign called it politically-motivated.<br /><br />Messer and Rokita each have, on the positive side,<a href="http://indypolitics.org/the-2-million-dollar-men/" target="_blank"> sizable $2 million plus</a> warchests according to Indy Politics to fire political bombs at each other prior to having the survivor face Joe Donnelly in the general election. It's going t be a nasty nasty primary.<br /><br />On the Democratic side, Donnelly also got some bad press this week. <br /><br /><a href="https://www.apnews.com/6d7d48ba7ae3420982c313192549805f" target="_blank">An AP report</a> published on Thursday said that a company owned by Donnelly's brother and that the Senator had profited from had benefited from using labor at a plant in Mexico. &nbsp;Donnelly, of course, has been a loud and vocal voice against companies sending jobs to Mexico such as Carrier and Rexnord. <br /><br />The Donnelly campaign <a href="https://www.apnews.com/6d7d48ba7ae3420982c313192549805f" target="_blank">says</a> that the Senator's family's company employs many Hoosiers and Americans and that he's still committed to making better trade deals such as renegotiating NAFTA. &nbsp;It remains to be seen if this has any traction.<br /><br />On the good news side, Donnelly<a href="http://indypolitics.org/donnelly-nearly-4-million-in-bank-for-re-election-bid/" target="_blank"> has raised nearly $4 million for his reelection</a> fight. &nbsp;Of course, he's going to need a lot more than that. &nbsp;Abdul-Hakim Shabazz also reported on his Indy Politics website that Donnelly<a href="http://indypolitics.org/donnelly-approval-rating-above-50-percent/" target="_blank"> is sporting</a> a 53 percent approval rating.<br /><br />We still have 10 months until the primary in this race, and it feels like it's already campaign season.http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/07/its-only-july-2018-indiana-us-senate.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-41092574873655522Thu, 13 Jul 2017 04:00:00 +00002017-07-13T20:25:08.787-04:00Eric Holcombhealth care reformMaureen GroppemedicaidUSA TodayIndiana: A Heartless State?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9wE6oRoEQA/WWbBKqD6kjI/AAAAAAAANGg/ZEB7VXlr188N-VQaOR-Mt_TMQl9KV7b6gCLcBGAs/s1600/Eric%2BHolcomb.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="438" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9wE6oRoEQA/WWbBKqD6kjI/AAAAAAAANGg/ZEB7VXlr188N-VQaOR-Mt_TMQl9KV7b6gCLcBGAs/s320/Eric%2BHolcomb.jpeg" width="255" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Governor Eric Holcomb</td></tr></tbody></table>Eric Holcomb signed off on an application to make Indiana one of the first states to require people to work as a condition of receiving Medicaid benefits.<br /><br />The plan would not apply to all Hoosiers receiving Medicaid...only those who are not pregnant, under 60 years old, or not "medically frail" would be required to work, according to Maureen Groppe's <a href="https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2017/07/11/advocates-feds-dont-let-indiana-impose-medicaid-work-requirement/467633001/" target="_blank">report</a> in USA Today. &nbsp;Groppe says 59 percent of Hoosiers already on Medicaid work.<br /><br />According to the <a href="https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2017/07/11/advocates-feds-dont-let-indiana-impose-medicaid-work-requirement/467633001/" target="_blank">USA Today report by Groppe</a>, critics say that no many more people would qualify to work therefore numbers in the workforce won't rise by much. &nbsp;Opponents say that this is just another barrier that could be used to interrupt or toss people from their coverage.<br /><br />It does beg the question, for example, as Groppe does, what does "medically frail" mean? &nbsp;For example, is someone who has cancer, for example, medically frail? &nbsp;Could working make someone with heart disease more medically frail? &nbsp;The article also mentions those with mental illness.<br /><br />Hopefully, Holcomb will change his mind on this stupid and heartless idea. &nbsp;We really should not expect people on Medicaid to work as a condition of their coverage. http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/07/governor-eric-holcomb-eric-holcomb.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-3965767799762394449Tue, 11 Jul 2017 06:01:00 +00002017-07-11T02:02:28.148-04:002016 Elections2016 Presidential ElectionDonald TrumpDonald Trump Jr.Hillary ClintonNew York TimesRussiaTrump Scandal of Hour Embroils Don Jr.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xo4Na4RGOQU/WWRpbDhFu4I/AAAAAAAANGQ/i30fP0qoD8IcSkleSkDESEb00l8a2fTTgCLcBGAs/s1600/donald-trump-changed-twitter-header-stw.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xo4Na4RGOQU/WWRpbDhFu4I/AAAAAAAANGQ/i30fP0qoD8IcSkleSkDESEb00l8a2fTTgCLcBGAs/s320/donald-trump-changed-twitter-header-stw.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Donald Trump</td></tr></tbody></table>People ask me why I haven't been blogging on the President more, and, frankly, the only excuse is that I'd have to be a full time, 24/7/365 blogger to keep up.<br /><br />That's right. &nbsp;This administration's missteps come at you like a MLB pitcher's fastball to the cranium...every day. <br /><br />The latest scandal from the administration that has given us more scandals than accomplishments is the Donald Trump, Jr. meeting with some nebulous Russian woman to receive damaging information on Hillary Clinton back in August of 2016.<br /><br />You know the story by now, at first Trump Jr. denied the meeting occurred. Then he said it was a meeting about adoption. Now, after great work by the New York Times, Trump Jr. admitted that the meeting was to get promised damaging information on Clinton. &nbsp;The New York Times now reports <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/10/us/politics/donald-trump-jr-russia-email-candidacy.html" target="_blank">that Trump Jr. knew of Russian efforts to derail the Clinton campaign</a> prior to the meeting.<br /><br />The plot just keeps thickening. &nbsp;Depending on how this all pans out, it could be that connection to put the whole picture together.<br /><br />It's more lies and deception from an administration that seems to revel in it. <br /><br />So, there, I wrote about it. &nbsp;Now, I feel like I need a shower.http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/07/trump-scandal-of-hour-embroils-don-jr.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-6804772499917003056Mon, 10 Jul 2017 04:00:00 +00002017-07-10T00:00:36.344-04:00John OliverLast Week TonightSinclair Broadcast GroupTribune MediaTribune/Sinclair Merger Could Change Indy TV NewsSinclair Broadcast Group is eyeing a merger with Tribune Media. <br /><br />The nearly $4 billion deal would add another 42 stations to Sinclair's armada of stations including two stations here in Indianapolis. &nbsp;Tribune-owned WXIN and WTTV or, as they are more commonly known Fox 59 and CBS 4, would join an army of over 200 stations if the the FCC approves the merger of the two media groups. &nbsp;It could also make a difference in what news gets delivered in our city and how it is reported.<br /><br />John Oliver of Last Week Tonight took a good and in-depth look at the landscape and the reality of what could be coming to our town.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GvtNyOzGogc" width="560"></iframe>http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/07/tribunesinclair-merger-could-change.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-4958282901111232665Fri, 07 Jul 2017 04:00:00 +00002017-07-07T00:00:26.893-04:00Abdul-Hakim ShabazzIndiana BudgetIndy PoliticsLuke KenleyKenley Leaves Consequential Legacy<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AIftS-X04L4/WV5DsPLRClI/AAAAAAAANF8/DFfx6MNGz0M2l1Wca8d-HWjJY7V-d7nLQCLcBGAs/s1600/Kenley_2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AIftS-X04L4/WV5DsPLRClI/AAAAAAAANF8/DFfx6MNGz0M2l1Wca8d-HWjJY7V-d7nLQCLcBGAs/s1600/Kenley_2012.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sen. Luke Kenley-R<br />Noblesville</td></tr></tbody></table>Luke Kenley, one of the most consequential Senators in the Indiana Senate over the last 50 years, has decided to retire as of September 30. &nbsp;Abdul-Hakim Shabazz <a href="http://indypolitics.org/kenley-retiring-from-the-senate/" target="_blank">broke the story</a> on his Indy Politics "Cheat Sheet".<br /><br />Kenley, a Harvard-educated former Noblesville City Judge, found a second political career in the Senate. &nbsp;He was first elected in 1992 and was reelected in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and, most recently, in 2016. &nbsp;He is the powerful Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.<br /><br />That means that Kenley has been involved in the Indiana budget process for years as Republicans have not been in the Senate Minority since the late 70's. &nbsp;Kenley has, for better or worse, kept a tight lid on spending and taxes and has helped the state build the surpluses while other states went into debt. &nbsp;There's not a major budget initiative that didn't cross his desk.<br /><br />This past session was one of Kenley's most-challenging sessions as the piper got paid for all the purse string tightening on both sides of the equation. &nbsp;After years of cutting things to the bone while refusing to increase revenue, Republicans <a href="http://fox59.com/2017/06/24/45-taxes-fees-increased-during-indiana-legislative-session/" target="_blank">raised over 40 taxes and fees</a> in the budget this time around, so that could be one reason why the 72-year-old &nbsp;Kenley decided to hang it up. &nbsp;Regardless, Kenley has earned the right to head off into the sunset and enjoy retirement. <br /><br />When Kenley retires, he will still have two full sessions left on his term in office. &nbsp;Republican precinct committeepersons and vice precinct committeepersons will gather once Kenley leaves office to fill the vacant seat. &nbsp;Whoever gets the seat will have those two years as Senator from District 20 to establish himself or herself before facing oppositon in 2020.<br /><br />In my capacity as a Democratic political blogger, I wish Senator Kenley a warm retirement and congratulate him on going out on his own terms. &nbsp;Good luck, sir.http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/07/kenley-leaves-consequential-legacy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-3654464096578377871Thu, 06 Jul 2017 09:49:00 +00002017-07-06T05:52:29.714-04:00Affordable Care ActAmerican Health Care ActBarack ObamaBetter Care Reconciliation ActCBS NewsFacebookIndiana Democratic PartyIndiana Republican PartyKyle HupferObamacareIndiana GOP Refuses To Listen To Responses To Own Facebook Post On ACAThe Indiana Republican Party got more than it bargained for when it asked for Obamacare horror stories on Facebook.<br /><br /><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="475" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Findgop%2Fposts%2F10154523183266875%3A0&amp;width=500" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="500"></iframe><br /><br />A "walk" through the comments to the post reads like an ad for the Affordable Care Act rather than one against it as people poured out their hearts telling their stories to the Indiana GOP. &nbsp;The attempted social media stunt with unintended consequences has generated all sorts of coverage by the national media. &nbsp;Here's just <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/indiana-gops-facebook-call-for-obamacare-horror-stories-goes-wrong/" target="_blank">one example</a> from CBS.<br /><br />In the CBS article, Kyle Hupfer, this week's Chair of the Indiana GOP, blames the Indiana Democratic Party and other Democrats for sharing the social media post and essentially flooding the post with pro-Affordable Care Act stories. &nbsp;To that, I'd say he's right. &nbsp;I won't lie. &nbsp;I shared the post, and I encouraged my friends to share their healthcare stories. &nbsp;Some of them did. <br /><br />I also shared my story that, as someone with pre-existing conditions, that I might find difficulty finding coverage or affording coverage under the proposed Republican bills passed by the House and being considered by the Senate. &nbsp;The sheer volume of stories and the ratio of pro-Obamacare to anti-Obamacare stories kind of speaks against Hupfer's point.<br /><br />Republicans and those against the Affordable Care Act have also had every opportunity to share their stories and encourage others to speak out. &nbsp;Their comments, even after the news broke about the social media post, have still been drowned out by those singing the praises of the Affordable Care Act.<br /><br />Hupfer's response poo-pooing the overwhelmingly pro-ACA stories and the personal nature of some of the comments and what people shared just underscores how much the GOP doesn't care about what people think when it comes to health care. &nbsp;For Republicans, it seems the problem with Obamacare is that it has become one of the signature accomplishments of the Barack Obama Administration.<br /><br />When I look at this kerfuffle, I think it shows that there's much more support for the Affordable Care Act than support for the Republican alternatives. &nbsp;I think that Republicans will regret the attempts to repeal and replace the legislation.<br /><br />I also see a party that made a big mistake on social media trying to dig its way out of it. &nbsp;That's also a cautionary tale in this 21st century political world. &nbsp;Also, even if Obamacare isn't exactly perfect, it's still way better than anything the Republicans have dreamed up, and they've had years to concoct a plan.http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/07/indiana-gop-refuses-to-listen-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-8744643765775168879Wed, 28 Jun 2017 04:00:00 +00002017-06-28T00:00:12.314-04:002016 ElectionsAssociated PressGeneral AssemblyRedistrictingAP Study Shows Democrats Underrepresented in Indiana House, Indiana U.S. House Delegation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-adiodFVReL8/WVHUQeLiXtI/AAAAAAAANFk/TwslziR5TSAM0KPIYU9oKlZfXVjAhb3ogCLcBGAs/s1600/indiana-state-flag.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-adiodFVReL8/WVHUQeLiXtI/AAAAAAAANFk/TwslziR5TSAM0KPIYU9oKlZfXVjAhb3ogCLcBGAs/s320/indiana-state-flag.png" width="320" /></a></div>The Associated Press confirmed what Democrats have known for several years and what Republicans have been afraid to admit they know: Indiana's General Assembly districts are gerrymandered.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/study-finds-indiana-legislative-districts-help-republicans-win-more-seats/article_fa7ccdb8-a911-596b-94f7-07d3b7ecbb59.html" target="_blank">AP did a study showing</a> that the vote totals from the 2016 election should have resulted in about five more Indiana House seats and one more U.S. House seat for the Democrats. <br /><br />The Indiana Senate seats were not analyzed, but a simple look at the map of Central Indiana shows that they are perhaps even more gerrymandered than the Indiana House seats. &nbsp;Several of the Indiana Senate seats appear to be mostly in Marion County only to have parts jog outward into one of the surrounding counties or vice versa.<br /><br />Take Senate District 28 for example. &nbsp;The district consists of mostly Hancock and Shelby Counties, but a long finger of the district knifes into Marion County taking in a narrow swath between roughly I-70 and Washington Street going west to Emerson Avenue. &nbsp;Senate District 36 on the southside encompasses parts of Center and Perry Townships in Marion County, but it runs a narrow leg into Johnson County. &nbsp;In fact, all seats not held by Democrats in Marion County are just like this (District 32 excluded), and three of them are some of the closest races in the Indiana Senate.<br /><br />Back in 2010,<a href="http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2010/11/no-unfortunately-we-cant-stop-them.html" target="_blank"> I wrote a blog post talking </a>about that election cycle. &nbsp;It was so critical. &nbsp;At that time, the Indiana House had a 52-48 majority for the Democrats and the Senate was 33-17. &nbsp;Democrats also held four of the state's nine House seats.<br /><br />Republicans won in 2010. &nbsp;It's now 70 seats in the Indiana House, 41 in the Indiana Senate, and seven U.S. House seats for the GOP. &nbsp;Elections, they have consequences. <br /><br />Let's hope as time goes on that those consequences are lessened. &nbsp;The push can continue for fair redistricting done in a non-partisan manner. <br /><br />It looked like redistricting was going to change in this state this past General Assembly session, but the <a href="http://www.therepublic.com/2017/02/18/smith_takes_heat_for_withholding_redistricting_bill_from_committee_vote/" target="_blank">bill was shut down by the GOP</a> in the committee hearing process. &nbsp;It's time to force a vote and to let your legislators know what you want. &nbsp;Be vocal.http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/06/ap-study-shows-democrats.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-5482434352566518829Tue, 27 Jun 2017 04:00:00 +00002017-06-27T00:00:10.057-04:00Better Care Reconciliation ActCBOFox 59Susan CollinsTodd YoungUnited States SenateCBO Releases Report on "Better Care Act" from Senate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zPtqk04RmgQ/WVHIWVZIEoI/AAAAAAAANFU/kFhGmwlN4PcyEsLHO45CS9IIw0ao5lRXACLcBGAs/s1600/65d179d3f2938435292b5255f06b9fb3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="1024" height="204" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zPtqk04RmgQ/WVHIWVZIEoI/AAAAAAAANFU/kFhGmwlN4PcyEsLHO45CS9IIw0ao5lRXACLcBGAs/s320/65d179d3f2938435292b5255f06b9fb3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>When the GOP and the Democrats gather to vote in the U.S. Senate on health care this week, there should be a ton of interested parties.<br /><br />We knew that millions of people would be adversely affected by the passage of the Senate's health care bill. &nbsp;The Congressional Budget Office, a non-partisan group, put some human numbers on the bill's effects. <br /><br />The CBO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/imminent-cbo-report-could-prove-pivotal-for-senate-republicans-health-care-bill/2017/06/26/cb8d61e2-59f7-11e7-a9f6-7c3296387341_story.html?utm_term=.3a25a5f9fec2" target="_blank">estimates 22 million</a> Americans will eventually be thrown off insurance. &nbsp;Deductibles will skyrocket. &nbsp;Premiums will go up. &nbsp;Medicaid will be cut. &nbsp;It's not good, and the outcomes aren't forecast to be good either. <br /><br />Those in the know have already been on this. &nbsp;Since the Republicans rolled out the ironically titled Better Care Reconciliation Act, There have been protests. &nbsp;Just yesterday, p<a href="http://fox59.com/2017/06/26/disability-advocates-stage-sit-in-over-gop-health-care-bill-at-sen-youngs-office/" target="_blank">rotesters were carried</a> away from Todd Young's Indianapolis office.<br /><br />One protester left in an ambulance. <br /><br />The way this secret process has gone, it seems that Republicans don't want to hear the truth. &nbsp;They don't want to look Americans in the eye on health care. &nbsp;Senator Young is non-committal on the bill, but he is "hoping to get to a yes," according <a href="http://fox59.com/2017/06/25/in-focus-sen-young-hoping-to-get-to-yes-on-health-care/" target="_blank">to the Fox 59</a>.<br /><br />Keep speaking out. &nbsp;Keep making phone calls. &nbsp;Susan Collins of Maine is the latest Republican to say she will vote no on the bill. &nbsp;Keep putting pressure on Senator Young to vote no. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.young.senate.gov/content/contact-senator" target="_blank">Contact him</a> but please be respectful.<br /><br />Let's look at what we have and fix it where it needs to be tweaked. http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/06/cbo-releases-report-on-better-care-act.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-2814487958419359839Fri, 23 Jun 2017 04:00:00 +00002017-06-25T11:08:21.961-04:00APAssociated PressHamilton CountyIndy StarJennifer MesserJim BrainardLuke MesserCarmel, Fishers Spend Like They Have It (Because They Do)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--mxMiv3w35g/WUv0zfAWuTI/AAAAAAAANFE/k1VSQbdFYToYeKD60xPvxEgmMTO3h3-cQCLcBGAs/s1600/220px-Map_of_Indiana_highlighting_Hamilton_County.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--mxMiv3w35g/WUv0zfAWuTI/AAAAAAAANFE/k1VSQbdFYToYeKD60xPvxEgmMTO3h3-cQCLcBGAs/s200/220px-Map_of_Indiana_highlighting_Hamilton_County.svg.png" width="129" /></a></div>Questions are being asked about spending in two Hamilton County cities.<br /><div><br /></div><div>First comes the news that Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard's new Ford Fusion has been damaged. &nbsp;Brainard says he'll pay out of pocket for the repairs. &nbsp;So kind, Jim. &nbsp;After all, on his behalf, the City of Carmel is paying $600 a month for that Fusion in a lease agreement. &nbsp;To put this in perspective, I drive a Chevy Malibu, and I pay much less than $600 a month. &nbsp;The <a href="http://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/hamilton-county/2017/06/21/carmel-mayor-jim-brainards-new-ford-fusion-damaged-while-parked/411767001/" target="_blank">Indy Star has all the details in this report. &nbsp;Writers Vic Rykart and Chris Sikich report</a> that Brainard could have negotiated a purchase straight up and saved the city $4,000.</div><div><br /></div><div>Second is the matter of Fishers and what that city is paying Jennifer Messer, the wife of Congressman Luke Messer. &nbsp;After an investigation into the records, <a href="http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2017/06/21/fishers-pays-rep-luke-messers-wife-240-k-part-time-role/415180001/" target="_blank">Bryan Slodysko of the&nbsp;</a><a href="http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2017/06/21/fishers-pays-rep-luke-messers-wife-240-k-part-time-role/415180001/" target="_blank">Associated Press found</a> that Messer gets a check for $20K per month from the City of Fishers and does about 26 hours of legal work a week for that cash from Washington. &nbsp;That's a $240,000 job.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, let me caveat this by saying in both cases that Mayor Brainard and Jenniifer Messer have every right to negotiate whatever deals they can get out of the cities they serve. &nbsp;It just seems like these two Hamilton County municipalities must have stacks of cash laying around if they can simply give it away like this. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>With Indy still struggling to fill its budget hole, maybe the Circle City can ask these two Hamilton County cities for a loan.</div>http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/06/carmel-fishers-spend-like-they-have-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-421613303725006036Thu, 22 Jun 2017 04:00:00 +00002017-06-22T00:00:15.717-04:00Affordable Care ActAmerican Health Care ActAnthemBarack ObamaDaily ShowDonald TrumpJeff FlakeJohn McCainMitch McConnellObamacareOlympia SnoweSusan CollinsTodd YoungTrevor NoahHealth Care Debate Should Be About People Not Politics<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zrW508n9tBw/WUs4j6W_xsI/AAAAAAAANE0/7ajg1PmiqawOfkpJcuIao2-g7O0qFanowCLcBGAs/s1600/donald-trump-changed-twitter-header-stw.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zrW508n9tBw/WUs4j6W_xsI/AAAAAAAANE0/7ajg1PmiqawOfkpJcuIao2-g7O0qFanowCLcBGAs/s320/donald-trump-changed-twitter-header-stw.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Donald Trump</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: right;"></div>The Republicans seem hell bent on attempting to roll back Obamacare prior to the July 4 recess, and it leaves Americans feeling helpless.<div><br />High hopes for the Senate at least turning the bill passed from the House side into something remotely palatable have been replaced by concerns that the normally-deliberative upper house of Congress is getting ready to do nearly the same thing. That’s left the future of the Affordable Care Act in peril.</div><div><br />Just yesterday, Anthem announced it was pulling out of the ACA Marketplace with its plans, and who can blame them? The President and Congress have created an uncertainty that any business would be unsure about. Donald Trump is causing health care in this country to collapse…not Barack Obama.</div><div><br />It’s amazing how often Trump wants to blame his predecessor. When Barack Obama rightly pointed out that the failed policies of the Bush Administration were often to blame for what became of the economy he inherited, he was lambasted. Trump seems to get a free pass on things when he whines on Twitter. Still, he seems determined to roll back every single thing President Obama did in his time in office. As Trevor Noah put it on the Daily Show, Trump keeps metaphorically hitting “Control-Z” on everything Obama.</div><div><br />At this point, all we can hope is that enough Republicans refuse to be sheep. There are definite hopes. John McCain sounded frustrated over the way the GOP was trying to ram this bill up the rear of Americans. He rightly noted that Republicans complained about the process Democrats took to hammer out the Affordable Care Act, and that, frankly, was much more of a normal process with hearings, amendments, and votes. Republicans just decided to be the party of no back then.</div><div><br />You can also hope that others out there that have shown a little resistance such as Olympia Snowe or Susan Collins or Jeff Flake understand exactly what this means. Perhaps even Todd Young can be persuaded not to let a hastily negotiated bill by a homogeneous small group of Republican Senators to go through. &nbsp;<a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2017/06/21/details_of_the_senate_health_care_bill_just_leaked_prepare_to_be_appalled.html?utm_content=inf_677_2641_2&amp;wpsrc=socialedge&amp;tse_id=INF_18fcdcd056df11e790011d41b85aaeb5" target="_blank">Details of which are just leaking out as this posts</a>.</div><div><br />This is NOT about politics folks. People’s lives are at stake. People like me with pre-existing conditions such as asthma, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. My late mother with her Parkinson’s Disease and arthritis would have been sorely effected by whatever is decided. And there are tons more people out there worse off than we were or are.</div><div><br /></div><div>Obamacare was never perfect, but it was a good start. &nbsp;The Affordable Care Act should have been tweaked and fixed but Republicans didn't want that. &nbsp;They wanted whole hog repeal and replace. &nbsp;That's why we are where we are. &nbsp;They may get their repeal, but they were never ready to replace.</div><div><br />Again, for God sakes, this is not about politics. Hit the brakes a bit and let’s work this out for the American people, Mitch McConnell. But, if Mitch doesn’t come to his senses, Republicans, don’t be sheep.</div>http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/06/health-care-debate-should-be-about.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-5371305013110766476Wed, 21 Jun 2017 04:48:00 +00002017-06-21T00:54:49.076-04:002017 ElectionsArchie ParnellDonald TrumpGeorge W. BushJon OssoffKaren HandelMick MulvaneyNewt GingrichRalph NormanSpecial ElectionTom PriceRepublicans Scramble to Hold On to Two Republican Seats in Special Elections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_Z3l5MbUs0/WUn6IDdkizI/AAAAAAAANEg/jFisC0acApg_eUxLEcg9vtGNzcvBbV4EwCLcBGAs/s1600/United-States-Capitol-Building-in-Washington-DC_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1600" height="201" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_Z3l5MbUs0/WUn6IDdkizI/AAAAAAAANEg/jFisC0acApg_eUxLEcg9vtGNzcvBbV4EwCLcBGAs/s320/United-States-Capitol-Building-in-Washington-DC_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Republicans are practically giddy that Karen Handel defeated Jon Ossoff in the special election runoff in Georgia's 6th Congressional District.<br /><br />I want to congratulate Handel. A win is a win is a win, and she won. &nbsp;Democrats put a lot of chips on this one, and Republicans mobilized and got it done. <br /><br />Still, there are some signs out here that are not so bad for Democrats. &nbsp;First of all, this isn't just any seat. &nbsp;This is Newt Gingrich's old seat. &nbsp;In 2004, George W. Bush won the district by 41 points over John Kerry. &nbsp;Just this November, Tom Price, now a member of the Trump cabinet, won the district by over 20 points. &nbsp;In Georgia's 6th, it's hard to overturn over 40 years of Republican rule...only Watergate did that.<br /><br />Ossoff also raised a lot of money. Much of it was from outside the district, but he also outraised Handel inside the district, and Handel relied on outside donors for almost all her campaign cash. &nbsp;She even got some late PAC help. A real effort by Republicans this week mobilized the troops and tried to suppress the Democratic vote with a pro-GOP PAC<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/18/politics/kfile-obama-georgia-ad/index.html" target="_blank">&nbsp;taking out of context a story from Barack Obama's autobiography</a>. &nbsp;Those are all tactics now.<br /><br />This is really the beginning for Handel, who will face a lot of scrutiny as a new member of Congress over the next year and a half or so. &nbsp;She'll probably face a crowded primary and perhaps even Ossoff again in November of next year. <br /><br />A footnote to all of this is that Democrats also lost a race in South Carolina last night. &nbsp;Ralph Norman defeated Archie Parnell by three percentage points in a race that was much tighter than expected. &nbsp;Democrats paid little attention to this race in comparison to the Georgia race. &nbsp;Mick Mulvaney, now a member of the Trump Administration, won the district by 20 points in November. Cook Political rates the district as a +9 Republican district. &nbsp;That's a baseline of nearly 60 percent for the GOP.<br /><br />So, in short, the Republicans spent a lot of money simply to hold on to two seats they already comfortably had won in November. &nbsp;If there's any such thing as a moral victory, I think the Democrats can claim it.<br /><br />Still, elections have consequences and the tape reads that the GOP held both seats on Tuesday.http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/06/republicans-scrable-to-hold-on-to-two.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-385691792838428865Tue, 20 Jun 2017 04:00:00 +00002017-06-20T00:00:15.475-04:002018 ElectionsCorrie MeyerDavid LongHJR 3Indiana Senate District 29JD FordMike DelphSpotlight Back on Indiana Senate DIstrict 29 for 2018<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upV_-nmW4QA/WUhwwyuxtiI/AAAAAAAANEM/ahKrRX_EPxs7czewuXb1LKeu8aLqAeJnQCLcBGAs/s1600/Delph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upV_-nmW4QA/WUhwwyuxtiI/AAAAAAAANEM/ahKrRX_EPxs7czewuXb1LKeu8aLqAeJnQCLcBGAs/s1600/Delph.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sen. Mike Delph</td></tr></tbody></table>Indiana Senate District 29 will be back on the ballot in 2018, so that means the referendum on Mike Delph will be back on the ballot as well.<br /><br />Delph has been a little more quiet than normal since having his wings clipped by his own caucus after he revealed information that happened in caucus back in 2014. <br /><br />Taking you back, Delph revealed that the discriminatory House Joint Resolution 3 that would have amended the Indiana Constitution to make same-gender marriages illegal was dead via Twitter. &nbsp;For that, Delph <a href="http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2014/02/21/senate-leader-punishes-mike-delph-over-tweet/5673911/" target="_blank">was banished</a> to sitting with the Democrats by Senate President Pro-Tempore David Long and was removed from his leadership roles in the caucus.<br /><br />Delph also is getting primaried...or at least will have a primary opponent. &nbsp;<a href="http://indypolitics.org/delph-getting-a-primary-challenger/" target="_blank">According to Abdul-Hakim Shabazz's Indy Politics website</a>, Carmel-based city planner and architect, Corrie Meyer, is running on the Republican ticket.<br /><br />Democrats are running J.D. Ford again. &nbsp;Ford ran a teriffic campaign in 2014 pulling in 46 percent of the vote in the district that includes a large part of Hamilton County, part of Boone County, and parts of Washington, Pike, and Wayne Townships in Marion County. <br /><br />Any way you slice it, Delph will have to work hard again to stay in office. &nbsp;You would have to think that the blue parts ot the district have become more blue, and I can't imagine Delph is any more liked now than he was in his district four years ago.<br /><br />If the Democrats are ever going to make any progress in the Senate, this is one of those seats they have to have because it is winable...especially with Delph in the seat. &nbsp;We'll see how this one plays out in both the primary and the general.http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/06/spotlight-back-on-indiana-senate.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-6361350617238390051Tue, 20 Jun 2017 00:06:00 +00002017-07-06T06:15:37.010-04:00Donald TrumpEric HolcombForrest LucasfundraisingIndy RepublicanKaren PenceLawrence O'DonnellMike PenceRachel MaddowHonest to Goodness, Indiana Now Pence's Fast Cash ATM Button?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ARy2MCLihI/WUhmPd0z6uI/AAAAAAAAND8/qVWPpcIxByYz1wPzrfjyYcC0ld9l0DwJgCLcBGAs/s1600/atm-flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="630" height="174" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ARy2MCLihI/WUhmPd0z6uI/AAAAAAAAND8/qVWPpcIxByYz1wPzrfjyYcC0ld9l0DwJgCLcBGAs/s320/atm-flickr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>That cha-ching sound you heard was Mike Pence hitting the cash register before returning to Washington.<br /><br />That's right, Pence did a quick run home to raise some money for his own PAC at a max $5,000-a-person fundraiser at the Mariott downtown Friday. &nbsp;As has been well pointed out by both Lawrence O'Donnell and Rachel Maddow, it's highly unusual for a VEEP to have his own PAC when he is not running for anything. <br /><br />Of course the other news is that Pence has lawyered-up to represent him in the many messes the Trump Administration has made so far. &nbsp;Again, as the Vice President, Pence cannot use government funds to pay for his personal lawyer. &nbsp;So, as Lawrence O'Donnell and Rachel Maddow have pointed out, he had to create this PAC in part to pay for one, his attorney and two, a possible run at the top of the ticket in 2020.<br /><br />When he needed a quick hit on the ATM, Pence returned home to Indiana to get that quick cash. &nbsp;Congratulations, Hoosiers, we're now the "fast cash" button on Pence's ATM settings.<br /><br />Actually, when I heard $5K was the top of the line, I was sort of shocked. &nbsp;He's kind of low balling it. &nbsp;Eric Holcomb will be part of a 10K a plate dinner at Forrest Lucas's abode on June 27. &nbsp;For that $10K, you get to sit down for likely a piece of dry chicken and some sort of asparagus or something (hopefully they go for steak) at a roundtable dinner with Holcomb. &nbsp;The Star <a href="http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/behind-closed-doors/2017/06/06/got-10-000-you-can-dine-gov-eric-holcomb/374308001/" target="_blank">report is here</a>. <br /><br />Maybe Lucas tried to organize something for Pence, but Karen Pence couldn't attend and there would be other ladies present? &nbsp;I don't know.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm sure Pence took some cash back with him.<br /><br />By the way, our friends over at Indy Republican also took <a href="https://unboughtandunbossedrepublican.blogspot.com/2017/06/did-mike-pence-create-pac-simply-to-pay.html" target="_blank">a good look at the issue</a>.<br /><br /><b>UPDATE:</b><br />The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/pence-wont-pay-legal-fees-with-pac-funds-1498074337" target="_blank">reports</a> that Pence will not use PAC funds to pay legal fees.http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/06/honest-to-goodness-indiana-now-pences.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-6235652449664976693Thu, 15 Jun 2017 01:02:00 +00002017-06-14T23:04:36.681-04:00Debbie JenkinsDoris Minton-McNeilKerry ForestalPolitics Doesn't Have To Be NastyI had not been to a political fundraiser in a while, so I attended Marion County Surveyor Debbie Jenkins's fundraiser earlier tonight at the Carpenter's Union Hall in Beech Grove.<br /><br />It was a great event. &nbsp;I love catching up with people at these events. &nbsp;I caught Mayor Joe Hogsett as he was leaving, and he did not deck me for my blog post last week. &nbsp;I didn't think he would. &nbsp;In fact, he was his normal jovial self. <br /><br />The fun part of the night came as I was leaving. &nbsp;Edwards Drive-In's food truck catered the event, and I was going to get a pork tenderloin for the road. &nbsp;About six or seven of us, including Democratic candidate for Sheriff Kerry Forestal and former City-County Councillor Doris Minton-McNeil got caught underneath an awning waiting for our food as a thunderstorm hit.<br /><br />It poured. &nbsp;Being the largest person around, I tried to help keep people dry hoping not to blow away. &nbsp;Still, after the day, it was kind of a refreshing way to end it.<br /><br />Not all politics has to be nasty, and there wasn't a nasty word spoken at the fundraiser. &nbsp;In fact, everybody seemed very concerned about Congressman Steve Scalise and those injured in the shooting earlier today. &nbsp;Here we were though...six or seven Democrats stuck under an awning getting soaking wet while waiting for food.<br /><br />I was wet to the skin by the time I got in my car, but I didn't care. &nbsp;We laughed, joked, had fun, and enjoyed the company of others.<br /><br />It's really the small things in life that bring a smile to your face. &nbsp;For me, politics brings me together with my friends, and it doesn't have to just be Democrats. &nbsp;Last week, I had a blast talking to the Republicans at the Decatur Central Lions Club 4-H Fair. &nbsp;After some good-natured ribbing, the conversation turned to families and life.<br /><br />Politics aside, we're humans first.<br /><br />I continue to send my thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recovery to those injured in the shooting at the Republican Congressional Baseball Team practice this morning.http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/06/politics-doesnt-have-to-be-nasty.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-380620721758710459Sat, 10 Jun 2017 15:09:00 +00002017-06-10T11:09:17.818-04:00Greg'sIn MemoriamLGBTQ+Phil DentonIn Memoriam: Phil Denton (1956-2017)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qe2-RzInNY/WTwLUJxIijI/AAAAAAAANDo/jb8ZtrlX9Tsn1vutZv0wiShLVcYb6Ue7QCLcB/s1600/490517838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="511" height="211" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qe2-RzInNY/WTwLUJxIijI/AAAAAAAANDo/jb8ZtrlX9Tsn1vutZv0wiShLVcYb6Ue7QCLcB/s320/490517838.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Let me start this off by saying that I didn't personally know Phil Denton. &nbsp;I had heard of him, and I knew of his value to the Indy gay community. &nbsp;Still, I don't ever recall shaking his hand and meeting him.<br /><br />Still, I want to thank him.<br /><br />Denton, a longtime activist in the Indy LGBTQ+ community, passed away this past week at the age of 60 just as the annual Indy Pride celebration kicked up. &nbsp;He was the owner of Greg's, one of Indy's oldest establishments catering to the LGBTQ+ community. &nbsp;Having purchased the bar 25 years ago, Denton changed the name to Greg's from Our Place in 2002 to celebrate the life of his friend, Greg Powers.<br /><br />If you're not gay, you have no idea what it's like to have a safe environment where you can be yourself. Since 1980's opening, Greg's or OP's or whatever it's been called, has been one of Indy's safest places for gay people to be, well, gay. &nbsp;It's Indy's oldest gay bar. &nbsp;Besides all of that, Greg's has always been at the forefront of activism for LGBTQ+ individuals as well as all those charitable causes they helped support in Indy, and Phil has been that driving force.<br /><br />Hopefully, the wonderful bar on 16th Street where a person of any orientation or gender identity can go to be himself or herself will continue. &nbsp;With the loss of a couple of other establishments in town, we can't afford to lose this historic cultural hub.<br /><br />Again, I didn't know Phil, but I think his heart was on display if you've ever been in his establishment. &nbsp;It is a place of welcomeness and open arms and minds and hearts.<br /><br />Thanks for being there for the community, Phil. You have served us well.http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/06/in-memoriam-phil-denton-1956-2017.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-6878329024619963229Thu, 08 Jun 2017 16:21:00 +00002017-06-08T12:34:21.431-04:002020 ElectionsCity-County Councilclimate changeDonald TrumpEric HolcombJoe Hogsettliving wageminimum wageParis Accordssanctuary cityIs Joe Hogsett Looking at 2020 in 2017?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JuYQNjRQWCE/WTl5UPFytsI/AAAAAAAANDY/5WOIRsybIrkszYIZDS4Qyohx2DgGI1MZACLcB/s1600/Mayor%2BJoe%2BHogsett.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="366" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JuYQNjRQWCE/WTl5UPFytsI/AAAAAAAANDY/5WOIRsybIrkszYIZDS4Qyohx2DgGI1MZACLcB/s320/Mayor%2BJoe%2BHogsett.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayor Joe Hogsett</td></tr></tbody></table>Joe Hogsett's position on the Paris Accords could actually give us a window into what the Mayor of Indianapolis might be thinking about three or more years down the road.<br /><br />Hogsett gave good lip service and said the right things about Indianapolis adopting the right kinds of policies to help prevent climate change, but he stopped short of the more hard language to say how we'd get there. &nbsp;He <a href="http://www.nuvo.net/news/hogsett-won-t-sign-climate-mayors-agreement/article_7e6d143e-4b92-11e7-b4eb-9378d5a828d9.html" target="_blank">refused to sign the Climate Mayors Agreement</a>. &nbsp;As one of my friends put it, "Caution over leadership."<br /><br />That could be a good way to describe Hogsett's position on not only this but also some other more liberal ideas such as raising the minimum wage for full-time city employees. &nbsp;The Democratic leadership of the City-County Council is backing it, but Hogsett <a href="http://www.wibc.com/news/local-news/hogsett-opposes-council-democrats-living-wage-ordinance" target="_blank">says he'd rather balance the city budget</a> before looking at raising the city employees up closer to a living wage.<br /><br />He said the right things but didn't push the<a href="http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2017/02/12/faith-leaders-seek-protect-immigrants-muslims-others/97705312/" target="_blank"> sanctuary city thing too far</a>.<br /><br />Clearly, Hogsett is balancing things out. &nbsp;Why this cautious approach on seemingly slam dunk proposals for Democrats? &nbsp;After all, these proposals would largely be popular measures in Marion County where the political pool gets more and more deeply blue. &nbsp;There are no countywide Republican officeholders, and it's getting harder and harder to find candidates for the elephant party each election cycle.<br /><br />Liberals can be elected in Marion County, but can they be elected statewide? &nbsp;Few have tested the waters. Now let me be clear, Hogsett has shown leadership in many areas, but the more controversial the subject might be...the more he seems to dance that line. &nbsp; Better to be CAUTIOUS, right? <br /><br />Hogsett has to be looking down the road and keeping his political options open for 2020. &nbsp;All indications the 60-year-old well-known statewide Democrat will run for a second term in 2019. &nbsp;With all but the crime issue, he has done a spectacular job. &nbsp;I'd say the chances are very good he would win that second term. &nbsp;The next year, however, that Governor's Office may be calling his name. &nbsp;He could run for that office and not leave his current job.<br /><br />Eric Holcomb, despite what many believe to be a good start to his tenure, is only at 54 percent approval in two different polls since election day. &nbsp;An unpopular incumbent could be at the top of the ticket for President if Donald Trump doesn't get himself impeached.<br /><br />I'd continue watch these more left-leaning issues to get a barometer of what Hogsett might do in the future. &nbsp;Then again, I could be way off base and Hogsett is just trying to be a strong executive, but I believe that he still might have a desire to make one more statewide run. <br /><br />Now that the Mayor is probably mad at me...http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/06/is-joe-hogsett-looking-at-2020-in-2017.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339304090736900699.post-7485609931437676876Thu, 08 Jun 2017 04:00:00 +00002017-06-08T00:00:27.936-04:002018 ElectionsChuck SchumerJoe DonnellyNancy PelosiDonnelly Running Ads for Reelection Campaign<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c3BjdhhCz8M/WTdazxHdleI/AAAAAAAANC4/p-TsFFq85csT8-ork--V_4USQHb6_iD8ACLcB/s1600/Donnelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="201" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c3BjdhhCz8M/WTdazxHdleI/AAAAAAAANC4/p-TsFFq85csT8-ork--V_4USQHb6_iD8ACLcB/s1600/Donnelly.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sen. Joe Donnelly</td></tr></tbody></table>It appears that in the early going of the 2018 campaign that Joe Donnelly is not leaving anything to chance.<div><br /></div><div>Having already been the subject of ads against him, Donnelly, who does not even know his opponent yet, is out with some early ads to try to define himself in these months before the Republicans began to truly mobilize against him. It's smart politics. Donnelly's advertising hits hard on his record and talks about the Senator's accomplishments in office. &nbsp;</div><div><br />From the beginning, the Indiana Senator has been accessible and has been talking about more than just the issues that dominate the national news cycles. Donnelly has been trying to improve things for veterans since taking office. He's also been engaged in Indiana's problems with drugs such as heroin and opioid abuse. <br /><br />Donnelly's problems electorally are going to come from the fringes of both parties. Right wingers will call him a liberal and try to tie him to Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. Those on the far left attack Donnelly for things like his positions on abortion, his slow conversion to supporting same sex marriage, and his vote to confirm Neil Gorsuch.<br /><br />The point of all this is Donnelly is starting early, and for a seat the Democrats must hold on to to capture the Senate in 2018, it's a good thing. The earlier the better, I say.</div>http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2017/06/donnelly-running-ads-for-reelection.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (johnnystir)2